The _Flying Cloud_--a beautiful sight, as she now appeared
broadside-on to them, reaching across the bay, with the afternoon sun
gleaming brilliantly upon her immense spread of canvas--was slipping
along through the water at a speed of about six knots, and it was
apparent she would pass the breakwater-end at about the same moment as
the _Victoria_. But the excursion steamer's usual course was through
the opening in the breakwater, and not out round its end; and if she now
took that direction the trip would be spoiled, so far, at least, as Mr
Damerell and his daughter were concerned. The old gentleman looked
round, and saw that Captain Cosens, the veteran commodore of the little
pleasure fleet, was in command, and to him he determined to make his
wishes known. The captain was talking to some of his lady passengers
when Mr Damerell approached him, but looked up at once and spoke on
recognising an old friend.

"Good-morning, Mr Damerell," said he. "What fair wind blows you on
board the _Victoria_? It is not often that you favour us with your
company. A noble vessel that, isn't she?" indicating the _Flying
Cloud_. "I take it she is an Australian liner."

"Yes," said Mr Damerell, "that is the _Flying Cloud_, my son's ship,
you know, Captain--"

"What! your son aboard?" interrupted the commodore. "Starboard, Tom,
starboard a bit, boy! and pass as close to leeward of that ship as you
safely can. It's not often we have the opportunity to treat our
passengers to a sight of a clipper under all plain sail, so, as the
water is smooth, and we can do so with safety, we will do it to-day; it
will be something of a novelty for them. And perhaps," he added, his
kindly grey eyes beaming sympathetically, "you may be able to get
another glimpse of Ned as we pass. Come upon my bridge, Mr Damerell,
you will see better, and he will see you all the quicker too."

The ship and the steamer now rapidly approached each other; and soon
after passing the breakwater-end, the latter shot across the stern of
the former and ranged up on her lee quarter. The word to "ease her" was
passed below into the _Victoria's_ engine-room; and Mr Damerell and Eva
had the opportunity of not only seeing, but also of exchanging a few
words with Ned, who had soon espied them on the steamer's bridge, and
had placed himself in the mizen-rigging for the purpose. The pleasure
party on board the steamer were meanwhile thoroughly enjoying the
unwonted sight